Search Results (184)

The accumulation of training and competition loads represents a critical determinant of musculoskeletal injury risk in professional team sports, yet contemporary monitoring systems remain limited by their reliance on single-domain temporal analysis that overlooks the multi-scale rhythmic patterns inherent in athletic workload signals. This study introduces FDTM (frequency-aware dual-stream temporal model), a deep learning framework that jointly encodes time-domain dependencies and frequency-domain spectral signatures from digital athlete monitoring streams to predict individual injury risk over a forward-looking seven-game horizon. The framework integrates a stacked bidirectional long short-term memory branch augmented with temporal self-attention pooling, a spectral encoding branch employing discrete Fourier transform decomposition across high-frequency (weekly), mid-frequency (bi-weekly), and low-frequency (seasonal) bands, and a cross-modal gated attention fusion module that adaptively balances temporal and spectral representations conditioned on player context. We evaluate FDTM on three heterogeneous public sports datasets spanning basketball (NBA game-log corpus 2013–2023), Australian rules football (AFL Player Workload Dataset), and soccer (SoccerMon open monitoring corpus), comprising 612 athletes and 247,830 player-game observations across ten competitive seasons. FDTM achieves AUC-ROC values of 0.858, 0.833, and 0.821 on the three datasets respectively, outperforming the strongest deep-learning baseline (FEDformer) by 2.0 to 3.3 percentage points and the strongest non-spectral baseline (TCN) by 3.2 to 4.5 percentage points while maintaining a Brier score below 0.04. Ablation studies confirm that the spectral branch contributes 5.1 percent to overall discriminative performance. SHAP attribution analyses identify high-frequency weekly components as the dominant injury-relevant signal, followed by low-frequency seasonal trends and the cumulative acute-to-chronic workload temporal feature, with gating-weight visualizations revealing dynamic modality contributions consistent with established sports science theory. Direct spectral analysis of the raw workload signal confirms that injury-preceding windows exhibit significantly elevated weekly-band power across all three datasets (Mann–Whitney U test, p < 1 × 10⁻⁷), and the architectural advantage is shown to be robust across 30 independent training seeds. These findings suggest that frequency-aware modeling may serve as a transferable methodology for sports engineering applications in injury prevention, return-to-play planning, and individualized rehabilitation, pending further external validation in female athletes and additional team sports. Full article

Human pose detection is fundamental to quantitative sports training analysis in college general education courses, enabling an objective assessment of college students’ movement quality and the early identification of sports injury risks among non-professional athletes. At present, those detectors based on YOLO have encountered difficulties in capturing the continuous movement patterns of college athletes in routine training, maintaining the regression accuracy of different size posture targets, and maintaining the real-time calculation speed in the campus sports environment. Furthermore, most existing pose-estimation frameworks are optimized for general scenes and fail to address the unique challenges of college physical education settings, including non-standard student movements, diverse skill levels, and strict cost constraints for large-scale deployment. In order to solve these problems, we put forward PPLCNet-YOLOv11, which is a simplified human posture-estimation framework designed for college physical education. This model is optimized by three key improvements: (1) replacing the original backbone network with PPLCNet to enhance feature extraction, while strictly observing the strict FLOPs and parameter restrictions; (2) an enhanced Multi-Scale Attention Mechanism (MSAM) that combines adaptive scale perception, hierarchical channel attention, and pose-sensitive spatial attention to better represent elongated anatomical structures and multi-scale pose cues; and (3) an improved enhanced IoU loss function that incorporates scale-aware and aspect-ratio-aware penalty terms to refine the bounding box adjustment for atypical and sports-specific gestures. Experiments on both a dedicated college student sports pose dataset and two public benchmark datasets (COCO Keypoints 2017 and MPII Human Pose) demonstrate that PPLCNet-YOLOv11 achieves 77.8% mAP@0.5 and 37.09% mAP@0.95 based on the campus dataset, with 82.34% precision and 75.00% recall, while requiring only 2.62 M parameters and 6.38 GFLOPs. Extensive inference speed tests show that the model achieves 127 FPS on an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 38 FPS on an Intel i7-12700 CPU, and 16 FPS on a Jetson Nano edge device, meeting the real-time requirements of campus sports monitoring. Compared with mainstream lightweight YOLO variants and state-of-the-art specialized pose-estimation models, our proposed method improves mAP@0.5 by 4.93–12.6 percentage points based on the campus dataset. All experiments were repeated five times with different random seeds, and we report mean values with standard deviations and statistical significance tests to ensure result reliability. These results indicate that PPLCNet-YOLOv11 provides an accurate and resource-efficient solution for real-time pose evaluation in college physical training. Full article

Background: Inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD) ≥ 10 mmHg is an established marker of cardiovascular risk in adults; however, evidence in paediatric populations remains limited. Handgrip strength (HGS) is increasingly recognized as a simple and reliable indicator of neuromuscular fitness and cardiometabolic health during growth and development. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between IAD and HGS in children and adolescent athletes and to explore the influence of anthropometric characteristics. Methods: Forty-one non-professional athletes aged 6–16 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric characteristics, bilateral resting BP, and bilateral HGS were assessed using standardized protocols. Inter-arm differences in systolic and diastolic BP were calculated. Results: An inter-arm systolic BP difference ≥ 10 mmHg was observed in 12.2% of participants. Dominant-arm systolic BP and HGS were significantly higher compared with the non-dominant side (p < 0.05). HGS showed a positive association with systolic BP, particularly in boys, whereas weaker associations were observed with diastolic BP. In regression analysis, BMI emerged as a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: In young athletes, dominant-arm superiority in both muscular strength and systolic BP was evident. Bilateral BP assessment combined with HGS measurement may provide information during cardiovascular evaluation paediatric athletic populations. Full article

The association between return-to-sport test batteries (RTS-TBs) and clinical outcomes remains unclear. Previous systematic reviews of RTS-TBs have reported low pass rates; however, these reviews have been limited by substantial heterogeneity. This systematic review aimed to quantify RTS-TB pass rates and examine their association with timing (post-op). Five electronic databases (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PubMed) were searched on 22 December 2024. Observational studies reporting RTS-TB outcomes as a single pass or fail were included. A random-effects proportion meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of pass rates. A meta-regression was performed to assess the association between test timing and pass rate. Twelve studies (n = 1977) met the eligibility criteria, but five were excluded from the meta-analysis and meta-regression due to overlapping cohorts. From the remaining eight studies (n = 1449), the pooled prevalence of pass rates was 33% overall (95% CI 19 to 47%), 26% (95% CI 18 to 33%) for non-professional athletes, and 73% (95% CI 66 to 80%) for professional athletes, although only a single study focused on professional athletes. No association was observed between the post-operative timing of the test and passing RTS-TB (p = 0.73). The observed RTS-TB pass rates are low, and this may be influenced by the extreme heterogeneity. Although no association was observed between the RTS-TB timing and pass rates, this finding alone cannot confirm causality. Full article

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is associated with elevated subsequent musculoskeletal (MSK) injury risk, yet no study has examined whether a mandatory post-concussion rest period mitigates this risk in professional Australian rules football. The aim of this study was to compare subsequent injury risk following SRC in Australian Football League (AFL) male athletes across two periods: a discretionary return-to-play period (2016 to 2019) and a mandatory 12-day non-competition period (2021 to 2024). Methods: Injury data were extracted from publicly available AFL injury reports across eight seasons (n = 4351 players). Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using log-binomial methods, with pooled estimates derived via the Mantel–Haenszel approach. Results: Across both periods, SRC significantly increased overall MSK injury risk compared to MSK-first injury risk (2016 to 2019: RR:1.59 [95%CI:1.31 to 1.92]; p < 0.001; 2021 to 2024: RR:1.56 [95%CI:1.28 to 1.91]; p < 0.001). Upper and lower limb injury risks were similarly elevated across both eras. Notably, the risk of subsequent concussion was significantly elevated during 2016 to 2019 (RR:3.14, p < 0.001), whereas no statistically significant elevation was demonstrated during 2021 to 2024 (RR:1.30, p = 0.324). Conclusions: During the 12-day rest period, subsequent concussion risk was no longer significantly elevated, while MSK injury risk remained increased, suggesting longer recovery periods may be warranted for full neuromuscular recovery following SRC. Full article

Background: Children and adults with disabilities are widely acknowledged to have poorer health and emotional wellbeing than their non-disabled peers, which is further compounded by less access to health services and health-promoting activities. A relatively untried solution is to mobilize community initiatives such as sports to promote better health. Method: Special Olympics (SO) is an international sports organization present in over 200 countries and jurisdictions, engaging with just under four million athletes with intellectual disabilities annually. Research on the perceptions of sports coaches around incorporating health promotion within their sports training has been scarce. Likewise, little attention has been paid to identifying athletes’ understanding of what health means to them and actions that would make them healthier. A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted with eight national SO programs involving 62 coaches and 47 athletes. Group interviews were conducted via Zoom and a thematic content analysis was made of their responses. Results: In all countries, coaches and athletes agreed that the most common needs were healthy eating, healthy weight and exercise. Good mental wellbeing and sleeping well were also named. Ideas were sought from both sets of participants regarding how coaches could assist their athletes to attain better health and the barriers they might face in doing so. Conclusions: Three main conclusions emerged. Athletes and coaches were aware of health deficits and knew of ways to reduce them. Both appreciated the contribution that coaches could make through motivating athletes and providing training activities but were dependent on suitable resources being available to them. Engagement with families and available health and social care services was essential. Health-oriented, sporting activities offer promise in improving the health and wellbeing of persons with developmental disabilities, particularly in less affluent countries with fewer health professionals and poorly developed primary care services. Full article

Background: Plantar pressure analysis provides insight into load distribution at the foot–pedal interface during cycling; however, its modulation by pedaling power, cadence, and overuse injury status remains poorly understood by professional cyclists. It is unclear whether common overuse injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy, patellofemoral pathology, and iliotibial band syndrome, are associated with distinct plantar loading patterns. This study aimed to characterize plantar pressure distribution in elite cyclists and determine how power, cadence, and injury status influence this pattern. Methods: Professional cyclists completed a single integrated protocol using a high-resolution in-shoe pressure system. Plantar forces were recorded across nine anatomical regions and grouped into the transverse and longitudinal segments of the foot. Three phases were included: absolute power manipulation (100 and 200 W), cadence manipulation (80 and 100 rpm) at fixed power, and an ecological combined protocol using relative power (1.5 and 3 W·kg⁻¹) with individualized cadence. The cyclists used their habitual bike setups. Participants were classified into the non-pathological (NP), AT, PFP, or ITBS groups. Mixed repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to analyze the effects of power, cadence, zone, foot, and injury status. Results: The plantar pressure distribution was consistently dominated by the medial forefoot. Increasing the absolute power from 100 to 200 W increased the maximal plantar pressures by 84.74% (p < 0.001), whereas increasing the cadence from 80 to 100 rpm at a fixed power increased the pressures by 15.90% (p = 0.003). Under individualized conditions, increasing relative power from 1.5 to 3 W·kg⁻¹ increased pressures by 39.59% (p < 0.001), whereas cadence had no global main effect but significantly altered the regional pressure distribution (p < 0.001). Injury groups showed pathology-specific deviations, including higher overall pressures and asymmetry in Achilles tendinopathy, bilateral asymmetry in patellofemoral pathology, and asymmetric loading patterns in iliotibial band syndrome. Conclusions: Power is the main determinant of plantar pressure, and cadence modulates load distribution. Overuse injuries induce pathology-specific pressure patterns, supporting plantar pressure analysis for injury prevention and performance optimization in athletes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nitric oxide (NO) is a key mediator of vascular, metabolic, and redox pathways, influencing exercise performance. Beetroot, a natural source of inorganic nitrate, increases NO bioavailability and may modulate oxidative stress and inflammation, though data in endurance athletes remain limited. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a novel beetroot-based nitrate supplement (B-bNs) on NO metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation in non-professional triathletes. Methods: This was a randomized 2 × 2 cross-over pilot study with two 7-day periods (B-bNs vs. No treatment), separated by a 15-day washout (4 visits: Day 1, 7, 22 and 28). Samples were collected at baseline (T0), 2 h post-first dose (T1), and after 7 days (T2) for the supplementation period (B-bNs) and at T0 and T2 for the “no treatment” period. The following biomarkers from plasma and urine were evaluated: NO pathway (NO metabolites (NOx), nitrite (NO₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), peroxynitrite, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT)), oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, 8-isoprostane, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity), and cytokines (IL-6, IL-10). A total of 10 male triathletes (mean age 48.1 ± 9.8 years and BMI 23.9 ± 2.2 kg/m²) participated in this study. Results: No adverse events were reported. After 7 days of supplementation (T2 vs. T0), significant increases in NOx in plasma and urine (about +155%), iNOS (+56%), peroxynitrite (+60%), 3-NT (+8.6%), ROS (+413%) and IL-6 (+73%) were recorded. These values resulted significantly higher compared to “no treatment” (all p = 0.002), with no significant differences for 3-NT, SOD, 8-isoprostane, IL-6, and IL-10. Conclusions: Beetroot-based nitrate supplementation may enhance the NO-related pathway in non-professional endurance athletes with nitric-peroxydation activation, occurring without evidence of lipid oxidative damage. Larger placebo-controlled trials with standardized diet/training and performance outcomes are needed to determine the functional significance of these preliminary findings. This study was registered in the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN10885376). Full article

Background: Orthorexic eating reflects a rigid preoccupation with healthy eating that often co-occurs with health-oriented lifestyles, yet the affective experience of physical activity has received little attention. This study examined whether enjoyment of physical activity is associated with orthorexic tendencies in adults and whether it explains variance beyond age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity status, and self-rated diet. Methods: Adults (N = 434; M_age = 27.55) recruited online in Türkiye completed a survey including the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI), and sociodemographic, BMI, physical activity, and diet items. Pearson correlations and one-way ANOVAs assessed bivariate associations, and hierarchical regressions tested whether PACES added incremental variance to ONI total and domain scores beyond covariates. Results: PACES scores showed a near-zero correlation with ONI total (r ≈ 0.02) and did not add variance in regression models (ΔR² ≈ 0.00). Higher BMI and identifying one’s diet as “healthy and balanced” were linked to modestly higher ONI total and Impairments/Emotions scores, while differences in physical activity status were small and mainly limited to the Behavioural domain. Conclusions: In this non-clinical sample of Turkish adults, enjoyment of physical activity was not meaningfully associated with orthorexic tendencies. These findings suggest that enjoyment-focused physical activity promotion can be encouraged without increasing orthorexic symptoms, while replication in clinical/high-risk groups (e.g., elite/professional athletes and clinical eating disorder patients) and longitudinal designs is warranted. Full article

Background: Upper-limb performance in handball depends on accurate shoulder sensorimotor control under high loads and fatigue. This study examined between-cohort differences associated with concentric versus eccentric exercise-induced fatigue in shoulder proprioception, kinesthesia, functional stability, and isometric force output in professional male handball players. Methods: This was a retrospective, quasi-experimental (non-randomized) between-cohort comparison of two previously collected cohorts who completed either a concentric (n = 46) or eccentric (n = 33) fatigue protocol, with pre- and post-fatigue assessments of joint repositioning sense (absolute angular error, AAE), threshold to detection of passive movement (TTDPM), Y Balance Test Upper Quarter (YBT-UQ), and the Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test. Results: Fatigue significantly increased AAE across all tested angles (Time: all p < 0.001), with a contraction-specific effect at end-range internal rotation (IR45°), where AAE increased more after concentric than eccentric fatigue (Time × Fatigue Type: p = 0.017; Δ = +1.34° (+61.8%) vs. +0.20° (+7.4%)). TTDPM increased after fatigue (p = 0.001) with no interaction (p = 0.968). YBT-UQ performance decreased after fatigue for all dominant-limb outcomes and for non-dominant inferolateral, superolateral, and composite scores (all p ≤ 0.018), but not for non-dominant anteromedial reach (p = 0.986); no Time × Fatigue Type interactions were detected for YBT-UQ outcomes (all p > 0.05). ASH force output decreased across all positions and both limbs (all p ≤ 0.002), with the dominant-limb Y position showing a greater decline following eccentric fatigue (Time × Fatigue Type: p = 0.030; e.g., ASH Y dominant Δ = −0.49 (−4.6%) vs. −1.43 N·kg⁻¹ (−13.3%)). Conclusions: Exercise-induced fatigue impairs shoulder sensorimotor function and upper-limb performance in handball. Contraction-mode differences were small and task-specific in this between-cohort comparison, emerging primarily at end-range proprioception and selected isometric strength positions. These findings may inform the design of training programs that emphasize fatigue-resistant sensorimotor control and end-range strength, while causal inferences regarding contraction mode are not warranted given the non-randomized design. Full article

Piriformis syndrome, a neuromuscular disorder caused by sciatic nerve compression by the piriformis muscle, remains understudied in athletic populations despite anecdotal reports of elevated prevalence in hockey players. This study investigated the prevalence of piriformis syndrome symptoms and potential risk factors in actively competing (current) and retired (former) high-level hockey players. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 67 actively competing and retired professional, collegiate, and junior hockey players (58 males, 9 females; mean age 25.6 ± 4.0 years; mean playing experience 17.8 ± 3.7 years). Active playing status was defined as currently participating in organized competitive hockey at any level, while retired status was defined as having ceased competitive participation for at least one season. The survey instrument was based on a validated clinical assessment scoring system, consisting of 12 questions assessing piriformis syndrome-related symptoms. Participants were classified as “high score” (≥6 affirmative responses) or “low score” (<6 responses). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between demographic variables (age, playing status, years played, competitive level) and total symptom scores. Overall, 25.4% (n = 17) of participants met criteria for high symptom burden, with sitting-induced buttock pain being the most prevalent specific symptom (40.3%). Mean total score was 4.8 ± 1.8 (range 2–10). Multiple regression analysis revealed no statistically significant associations between piriformis syndrome scores and any demographic variable (overall model: $R^2$ = 0.065, p = 0.374). Retired players showed a non-significant trend toward higher scores compared to actively competing players ($\beta$ = −1.388, 95% CI: −2.793 to 0.018, p = 0.053). No correlations were observed with age (r = −0.045, p = 0.719), years played (r = −0.054, p = 0.666), or competitive level (p = 0.666). In conclusion, this study revealed substantial piriformis syndrome symptom burden (25.4%) in high-level hockey players without significant demographic associations. Full article

Background: The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in elite athletes following sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or the diagnosis of high-risk cardiac conditions presents a complex interplay of medical, psychological, and legal challenges. Despite evolving guidelines, data on clinical outcomes and return-to-sport (RTS) trajectories in elite athletes remain limited. Objective: To describe the clinical profiles, management strategies, and career outcomes of elite athletes who received ICDs. Methods: A retrospective multilingual media and literature search was performed up to January 2026 to identify elite athletes with ICDs. Inclusion criteria required evidence of professional or Olympic-level competition, confirmed ICD implantation, and sufficient clinical and career data. Cases were analyzed for demographics, underlying diagnosis, prevention type, post-ICD outcomes, and RTS status. Results: Thirty-seven elite athletes were identified (mean age 25.8 ± 4.3 years). The most common sport was football (n = 25). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic LV scar, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy were the most frequent diagnoses, although 49% of etiologies remained unspecified. ICDs were implanted for secondary prevention in 70% of cases. Following ICD implantation, 25 athletes (68%) completed RTS, including 24 (65%) at the professional level. Among these, nine experienced shocks, and four ultimately discontinued competition. The sole fatality occurred in an athlete who had voluntarily explanted the ICD. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of elite athletes with ICDs successfully return to high-level sport, but clinical outcomes, risk tolerance, and legal frameworks remain variable. These findings support continued shifts towards personalized shared decision making and highlight the need for standardized, sport-specific RTS protocols, long-term registries, and psychosocial support in this population. Full article

YouTube is a de facto learning environment for athletes seeking fast, actionable nutritional guidance, yet platform dynamics may favor simplified or testimonial narratives over evidence-aligned messages. This study maps Spanish-language sports-nutrition videos to clarify who is most visible, how advice is framed, and what users encounter first. We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study of 558 YouTube videos on pre/post-exercise nutrition and supplementation. Data was coded for video types (divulgation/testimonial), claim presence, evidence links, and creator status (professional/non-professional). Exposure-adjusted metrics (View Ratio, Viewer Interaction) and nonparametric tests summarized distributions. An undirected network generated centrality rankings to select qualitative samples. Thematic analysis of titles and descriptions identified recurring rhetorical patterns and discourse modes. Divulgation videos predominated (97.3%). Evidence links were rare (0.2%). Exposure and interaction were right-skewed, indicating concentrated visibility. Non-professionals produced most videos, with older uploads and higher daily view accrual; however, interaction per view was similar across groups. Qualitative synthesis revealed two dominant discourse modes, scientific–cautious and experience–testimonial. Oversimplification and motivational cues clustered in testimonial/non-professional items; instructional language and scarce evidence links concentrated in professional/divulgation items. In Spanish sports-nutrition content, visibility is concentrated, and creator identity shapes advice framing. Evidence-aligned messages can compete when expressed with clear athletic framing, explicit caveats, and links to trustworthy sources. Full article

Soccer is practiced by professionals, amateurs, and recreational players. The physical assessment tools used by professionals are rarely available in recreational settings. Given the widespread participation and potential health benefits of soccer activity, it becomes essential to identify simple and accessible indicators that can help to characterize physical ability in non-professional players. This cross-sectional observational work explores which health status and lifestyle indices can be useful to estimate physical ability in recreational male soccer players when field testing is not feasible. Sixty-six participants volunteered in the study. Five performance field tests were conducted, and a related overall physical ability index (KPI_tot) was defined, while a questionnaire was developed to investigate nine BIO_Indices (BMI, age, physical activity level, job, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, sports career, occurring injuries, medical history). Data for the selected performance tests are reported for the recruited recreational athletes. KPI_tot was estimated from BIO_Indices, using a stepwise backward regression. The selected model, named SOCCER_Index, incorporates six out of nine BIO_Indices, excluding smoking habits, sports career, and medical history (R² = 0.536). In conclusion, with a simple questionnaire, an estimate of soccer players’ physical ability can be obtained. Further data collection is needed to obtain a more generalizable and robust SOCCER_Index. Full article

Owing to its ability to promote early recovery, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a popular regenerative therapy for treating sports injuries. However, its scientific basis has not yet been fully established. To bridge this gap, we focused on systemic antioxidant capacity, which suppresses exacerbated inflammation. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in male professional soccer athletes (n = 30) was assessed alongside body composition measurements and compared with that of non-athletes (n = 31). Metabolic and inflammatory conditions were examined using erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma lactate, glucose, and protein levels. TAC levels were similar in both groups. Moderate correlations were observed between TAC and body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, and basal metabolic rate in the control group, but not in the pro-athlete group, which exhibited superior body composition indices. These findings suggest that TAC levels may not directly influence PRP therapy in athletes. However, when compared with TAC levels calculated using correlations obtained in controls, the measured TAC levels (329.3 mM) were substantially higher than the compensated levels (62.5 mM for basal metabolic rate) in pro-athletes. This analytical approach indicates that TAC may theoretically be elevated to higher levels in pro-athletes when evaluated using non-athlete-based scales. Full article